Argentina misses Messi in friendly loss to Nigeria

15 Noviembre 2017

The Super Eagles have indeed had a brilliant 2017, overruning their African qualifying Group B opponents on the way to claiming the group's sole Russia 2018 World Cup ticket before Tuesday night's superb victory.

Iwobi then sealed an impressive 4-2 victory for Nigeria, as he nut-megged Javier Mascherano before coolly firing in to the bottom corner in the 73rd minute.

Kelechi Iheanacho later narrowed the deficit with a fine set-piece of his own on the stroke of half time.

He is deploring Nantes defender Chidozie Awaziem in a three-man central defence alongside Leon Balogun and William Troost Ekong.

Both the "Albiceleste" and "Super Eagles" will be back in Russia next year and what better way to prepare and acclamation than a mid November pre-match friendly in the city of Krasnodar. A fan favourite during his years at CSKA Moscow, Musa has fallen on hard times since leaving them for former Premier League champions Leicester City. The midfield will be manned by Banega, Matías Kranevitter and Giovani Lo Celso with Dybala taking Messi's place with the striking line-up augmented by Cristian Pavón and Ángel Di María or Diego Perotti.

Ironically, he is one of five Nigeria players who can boast of having scored against Argentina at senior level.